The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service. The initiative is aimed at tackling rising drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity.
According to a circular issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), extra-ministerial departments, and parastatals are now required to integrate drug screening into their recruitment processes. MDAs are instructed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to ensure the tests meet established standards.
The government cited the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, particularly among Nigerian youth, as a threat to public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency, and national security. Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, emphasized that the policy reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the workforce from drug-related issues.
This move complements ongoing anti-drug efforts, including recent policies mandating drug testing in universities and other sectors, signaling a broader approach to addressing substance abuse across the country.
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